Do we have the next Stacey Keibler in our midst?
Ravens cheerleader Amanda Ross was crowned Miss Baltimore Sunday night, beginning her ascent to hopefully becoming Miss Maryland and ultimately Miss United States (yes, it's different from Miss America and Miss USA). She'll compete for Miss Maryland in February.
Keibler, as I'm sure all the fellas out there know, was a Ravens cheerleader back in the day (1998). She went on to wrestle in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), compete on "Dancing With The Stars," become a model and date actor George Clooney.
Ross has a ways to go to reach that level. But hey, you never know.
"Yeah, crossing my fingers!" Ross said with a laugh.
Ross is the first-ever Miss Baltimore. Previously, girls would simply enter to become Miss Maryland. She competed in four rounds: interviews, swimwear, evening wear and on-stage questions.
Her question was: What is your definition of beauty? She answered that beauty is only skin deep and that it's who you are as an all-around person, being humble and working in your community.
Ross mostly wants to win so she can promote her platform. The Long Reach High School student and Morgan State senior wants to change the nationwide perception of Baltimore.
"My ultimate goal is talk to schools about bullying and crime prevention and anti-violence campaigns so that people don't just see* *[Baltimore] as having a high crime rate or drug abuse," Ross said. "I want people to also see how much arts and diversity and youth excellence we have here."
Ross is a physical education major with a concentration in sports administration.
She works as a gymnastics instructor at the Weinberg YMCA on E. 33rd St., and has worked summer camps in the Baltimore area. She has also worked with local students on physical education and volunteers in other ways with youth.
Ross is in her first year as a Ravens cheerleader. It was her first pageant ever. Fans can see more of Ross in the Baltimore Ravens 2013-14 Cheerleader Swimsuit Calendar, which can be purchased here.
